They usually don't travel in groups like that.
Lady Ariane! Are those...?!
Right. They're wyverns.
I thought as much!
Those are actual, living wyverns!
Hi there. It's me, Arc.
With Lady Chiyome's intel,
we've learned that the kidnapped elves have been brought to the Holy Revlon Empire,
so we're making our way there.
That explains why the Whispering Fowl is so reluctant to fly.
We won't be able to contact Danka for a while.
Well, in that case...
Perhaps we should have them disperse?
Disperse...?
Arc, what are you doing?
From the mid-tier Magus class...
An area-of-effect lightning element spell...
Lightning Damper!
Lightning Damper
I believe that takes care of that.
What's the matter, Lady Ariane?! Ponta?!
What happened?
Even Whispering Fowl? Did you all eat something spoiled?
What's become of you all?!
Oh?
My ears are still ringing.
I'd appreciate a warning before you use such massive magic next time.
F-forgive me.
I wasn't anticipating such a potent outcome.
Well, it's fine.
Let's move on to what comes next.
The shortest route to the empire would
be crossing the Xpitol River and then going through the Febient marshlands, but...
There's very little marked regarding the border town of Kaysehk,
or the routes to and from it.
Lady Ariane, are you concerned about something?
I've noticed it since Lady Chiyome brought us this information.
It seems to me like you're reluctant to travel to the Empire.
You're right.
Unlike Rhoden, the capture of elves isn't illegal in the empire.
Being an elf will be even more dangerous than it has been so far.
Even being in a town closer to the border, like this one, is cause for caution.
I admit, it makes me nervous.
Got a moment?
You two are responsible for that incredible magic in the desert this morning, yeah?
Indeed we are.
Who might you be?
My name is Carcy.
Carcy Held. It's a—
What kind of elf would reveal their ears in the middle of a human town?!
Lady Ariane, calm yourself!
Carcy, will you be having your usual?
I will, thanks!
Coming up!
It'll just be a moment.
Hey, it's Carcy.
Fancy a drink with us?
I'll join you later.
What's going on here?
Could you let go first?
I've taken a liking to this town, you see.
And at this point everyone knows me.
It's been ten years since I moved here.
Ten years?! In a human town?
How? That's...
You're an elf...
No, a dark elf, right?
Not sure what you expect me to say.
A world where humans and elves can co-exist...
Who's to say that isn't the way things should be?
You must be kidding!
Do you realize what humans have done to us?!
Well, you've got a point.
But you're a dark elf,
yet you're traveling with this human in the full plate.
Add a spirit creature to the group, and it makes for quite a unique mix.
Arc is...
a special case.
Now then,
Sir Carcy, what is it that you wanted with us?
Right.
I make my living studying the biology of monsters.
And lately,
some of the specimens I've been looking into have proven troublesome.
You'd like our aid in capturing them, in other words?
You're a sharp one.
And I believe the two of you are strong enough to do it.
Worst-case scenario, you'd only need to recover the bodies.
Unfortunately, we've got a more pressing matter to attend to.
How's this strike you as payment?
What is that?
A map of the Holy Revlon Empire.
Were you eavesdropping?!
You need it, don't you?
Lady Ariane, a map showing us the way to the empire would prove useful...
I can throw in a copy of my book on monster studies, as well.
Lady Ariane! I sincerely want that!
What do you say? Can we?
What do you say?!
Fine...
Yes! Let's do it! Leave it to us!
I thought you'd see things my way.
We'll set out tomorrow morning from the town entrance.
I'm looking forward to it.
Sorry about the delay!
There you are, Carcy!
Hope you're ready to drink!
'Scuse me!
Will five gold coins cover our lodgings?
Wha... One is plenty!
Give me a second, and I'll get your change.
No, Madam, please keep it.
But in exchange,
I'd appreciate being allowed to take my food to my room...
Of course!
In fact, I've got something special for you.
Take the whole barrel.
It's good stuff, and should suit even a fine knight like yourself.
Oh, much obliged!
Elves and humans co-existing, huh?
You seem to have trouble accepting it.
A bit, yeah.
When I think about what humans have done to us so far...
I doubt pondering the issue in this moment will provide an answer.
Oh, this smells lovely!
And pretty strong.
No need to force yourself.
There's fruit juice, as well.
D-Do not treat me like a child!
It's just some liquor!
How's that?!
Oh, drunk like a champion!
And I'm ready for more, too!
Ah, I apologize for the delay, then.
Does she not realize she's doing that with her ears...?
Allow me to join you.
There's a volume to its sweetness,
as well a hint of vanilla aroma!
Even a single sip is joyful...
Truly delicious!
Although, a bit on the strong side.
Arrrc....
Lady Ariane?!
Arrrc...
Hey...
Give me some.
I... want... more....
Lady Ariane, was two glasses all it took?!
Are you listening, Arc?!
She's totally hammered!
What even ish "a world where elvsh and humansh can live together"?!
That really did get to her!
Lady Ariane, perhaps you've had enough for tonight...
Whachu shay to me, you shtupid bonehead?!
What'sh dat, baldie?!
Oh, my...
Elvsh and humansh living together?!
Shyeah right!
Huh... I think I was drinking with Arc...
And then...
Ow, my head...
A skeleton!
W-Wait, Lady Ariane!
I call upon the flames to rain down upon our foes!
Good morning.
Did you two enjoy yourselves last night?
Nothing happened...
Nothing happened, right?!
You know, proprietress...
There is little as fearsome as a woman freed from restraint.
Oh, you!
I apologize for our tardiness, Sir Carcy.
Hey, good morning.
Arc, Ariane, you two will be joining me in the lead wagon.
The rear one will carry my friend.
Understood.
You two were certainly rather intense last night.
The entire town heard you.
I could kill him...
Lady Ariane!
Episode 10
Hope for the Future Found in the Desert
It seems the combination of a hangover and motion sickness is devastating...
And the smell coming from the cart is just making it worse.
Sir Carcy, what is being hauled in that cart?
Oh, that...
Goblin carcasses.
We'll be using those as bait for the sand worm.
The stronger the stench, the more effective it will be.
And this sand worm creature...
Right, it's what we're trying to capture.
Sir Knight!
That tea sobers folks right up.
Works wonders with hangovers and motion sickness, as well.
Oh, my thanks.
Still nervous around humans, Ariane?
I wouldn't exactly say that.
You can relax.
He might look sinister, but he's a good person.
Real nice, Carcy!
Don't expect any more tea from me!
Sorry, sorry.
Lady Ariane.
It's good.
I must ask, Sir Carcy.
I'd like to know more about this sand worm.
Right, good point.
The one that I'm tracking right now...
It's about four to five meters long.
During the day, it rests deep underground,
and in the evening and night it surfaces to scavenge corpses.
It's weak to flame, incidentally,
but since we're trying to capture it,
I'd like to avoid using fire as much as possible.
Another thing I've discovered recently
is that it tends to gravitate towards flocks of wyverns.
Then it may have been nearby earlier as well.
I'm certain if I can learn more about it during this expedition,
we'll be able to prevent it from causing as many casualties in the future.
That's the reason I study monsters.
Magnificent!
I would love to hear what you have learned about other monsters.
It'd be my pleasure...
What kind has caught your fancy?
Ridiculous...
Ah, where to begin?
Is there anything big, but fast, that can fly, that shines like metal, that can breathe fire?!
Where've the cart and the other wagon gone?!
Carcy, the wagons are gone!
Well, that sounds like...
What?!
H-How is this four to five meters?!
It's easily 30, at least.
Impossible...
I've never seen a specimen this huge before!
This is bad!
Lady Ariane!
Stay back!
Fire, I implore you.
Surge from this sword, and burst forth!
It can't be... It's supposed to be weak against fire!
That had no effect all!
No—
Are you all right, Lady Ariane?
Arc!
Leave the rest to me.
Hurry and get him to safety!
Right!
Quite the powerful beast.
Arc, we're all in the clear!
Understood!
Now, then...
It's time for a test of strength.
This is bad.
He can't draw his sword in that position.
Bloody hell...
He swung it around...
That is... impressive.
Hey, will that do?
More than sufficient, yes.
Here's the reward you were promised.
This is it!
You've been a huge help.
I hate to think what would've happened if I hadn't run into you two.
I'm glad we were able to help.
I suppose that brings this matter to a close.
Well, let us set out, Lady Ariane.
Lady Ariane...?
Can I ask you something?
Why do you live among humans?
Because I love them, I suppose.
You love... humans?
Right.
I'll admit, when I lived in an elf village,
I didn't have the best impression of them.
But once I started living among them,
they were different from what I imagined.
Not to say it's always been easy, but...
This is how I feel now:
A time will come where humans and elves can live hand-in-hand.
I can't really imagine a future like that.
Really?
You haven't heard about Lamburt, then?
Lamburt?
It's a port city in the west of the Rhoden Kingdom.
What about it?
This is news that I heard the other day...
The lord of Lamburt took an elf as his bride.
How is that possible?! Is it coercion?!
She's being forced to marry him, isn't she?!
No, she was on the verge of being sold into slavery when the lord set her free.
And since then, they've developed feelings for each other, apparently.
They've spoken about
how they'd like to work to improve relations between humans and elves.
Say, Arc...
That kind of future, for elves and humans...
Do you think it's really possible?
Who can say?
But the individuals who make up both races are numerous, with their own thoughts and opinions.
Perhaps not collectively, but many among both may choose co-existence one day...
Much like we have.
You hardly look like a human, so I'd say you don't count, Arc!
Well, despite appearances, I do consider myself to be one.
Why would you deny that, Ponta?!
I'd heard there were a number of disappearances in town lately...
I take it that's your doing.
I've only been using crooks and slaves as feed for them, haven't I?
Well, mostly.
Y-you're going too far...
Sir Fumba!
Aw...
A-And this place is supposed to be a secret,
yet you bring these whores here to... fraternize?
What were you thinking?!
Oh...
I get my work done, don't I?
Emperor Domitianus won't mind if I—
S-such impudence!
Do not speak His Imperial Highness's name!
Oh, sorry about that.
Still, you lot are the ones who wanted my help, right?
And what of our planned attack?
Walk this way.
They're looking a bit hungry, I'd say.
No!
No—
Don't eat so fast.
You'll get bones stuck in your throats, you hear?
Next Time
The Monster-Taming Barbarian Laughs in the Darkness
Always remember: you can drink liquor, but don't drown in it. #DrinkResponsibly #HangingWithPonta